John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital

About the Children's Hospital

The vision for the new hospital is to be recognized as the innovator, the highest quality, highest value provider and partner, and the regional referral center for women and children's health care for Kaleida Health, Western New York and beyond. It right-sizes and consolidate services in a 12-floor, 185-bed, free-standing and modern facility.

The new Oishei Children's Hospital is the only center with the pediatric specialists (physicians, surgeons, respiratory therapists, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, child life, along with trained and compassionate support staff such as aides, housekeepers, dietitians) who can care for all children ages zero to 21 and their families. It is also the only access point for pediatric critical care, Level 3 neonatal intensive care, and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers in Western New York. The sickest babies and children come to the hospital for care, either directly or through transfers from other hospitals. Without the resources available at Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, these young patients would have to travel out of the area for care.

New York State assisted Kaleida Health in closing its funding gap by providing $35 million for the $270 million project, including $15 million from the Buffalo Billion for infrastructure at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and up to $20 million from other State resources to support the new hospital.

Project Status

A major milestone of the new John R. Oishei Children's Hospital was celebrated on December 7, 2015 when the highest piece of steel was raised into the air and placed atop the 12-story structure located at Ellicott and High Streets across from the Buffalo General Medical Center.

Kaleida Health opened seven new outpatient clinics at the Oishei Children’s Outpatient Center in January 2017. The Outpatient Center relocated from Bryant Street to 1001 Main Street and will be connected to the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital. An $11.5 million matching grant was provided by the New York State Department of Health to support the Outpatient Center’s relocation to the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus.

On October 17, 2017 Governor Cuomo annouced the completion of the John R. Oishei Children's Hospital. The hospital is now open.

Bringing Together the Best Medical Expertise in WNY

The $270 million hospital is an integral part of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, linking with Buffalo General, the Gates Vascular Institute, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the new University at Buffalo Medical School and others.

It ensures pediatric and maternal services remain available for patients in the Western New York region and makes patient care more effective and efficient. It replaces the current Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo to become the only comprehensive pediatric healthcare facility for Western New York.